Gonzales, Lariba head Binay Cup cast

MANILA, Philippines - National players Richard Gonzales and Ian Lariba head the field vying in the fifth Mayor Jun Binay Cup First Quarter National Age Group Table Tennis Championships starting today at the Makati Coliseum.

Gonzales, who has won four medals in the SEA Games since 2005, and Lariba will see action in the male and female Open Elite divisions which stake P10,000 to the champion.

Close to 800 players from 67 clubs, including teams from Cebu and Davao, are taking part in the three-day tournament featuring singles matches.

Aside from the Open class, other events on tap are the boys and girls 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 17-and-under, non-rank and men’s 50-and above.

Conceptualized by Vice President Jejomar Binay and sustained by his son and incumbent Makati Mayor Jun Binay, the event aims to provide table tennis aficionados a venue where they can hone their talent and skills.

“From a little over 100 participants in 2008, the number has gone up to a thousand competitors last year showing that there indeed are a number of table tennis followers who are aching to show their wares. Having this said, we plan to continue hosting this tournament for as long as we can to help develop future national players,” said Mayor Binay.

Tournament director and current national coach Antonio Aguinalde said the event will have a round-robin elims format in all categories to ensure maximum exposure.

The elims start today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with group leaders to advance into the knockout phase set Sunday.

Finals in all events will be held late Sunday afternoon.